HOFFARTH ON THE MEDIA: CBS' Hall of Fame cameraman Davey Finch sees Riviera from a whole new perspective

Thinking back on it now, this had to have happened about 20 years ago.

Davey Finch, one of CBS Sports' most highly regarded cameraman, remembers a time he was shooting features and pre-production pieces for the network's golf coverage, and he happened to be part of the crew at the PGA Tour stop at Riviera Country Club.

He got a request from producer Frank Chirkinian: "Davey, go follow this kid a little bit."

Finch had been quite familiar with many tour players by this point in his career -- his friendly personality gave him an entry way to walk stride-for-stride with many of golf's biggest names as he lugged his handheld camera up and down the fairways, capturing up-close video and eavesdropping on conversations at a time when few had such access. But he hadn't heard much about this amateur player Chirkinian wanted documented.

Finch, as usual, got up to speed quickly, found the golfer on the course and decided to try to get a creative shot, putting his camera on the ground for a dramatic point of view, looking up at the subject.

"But I got a little too close," Finch said.

He heard a voice yell at him: "Get that f---in' camera out of here!"

"And that," said Finch, "was the first words Tiger Woods ever said to me."

Woods' first appearance in a PGA Tour event came when he was 16, the recipient of a sponsor's exemption to play in the 1992 then-Nissan Open at Riviera. Plenty of documented success followed.

Same with Finch.

The Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame inducted Finch into its group in 2010, calling him "the standard-bearer of the handheld (camera) era," able to "turn this mechanical instrument into a paintbrush, creating an artistic platform for the mini-camera and changing the look of sports on TV."

Yet, as Finch started the first of four days Thursday working the Northern Trust Open at Riviera - first for the Golf Channel coverage leading up to CBS' final two rounds - he had a new outlook.

He was high above the 18th green in the TV tower.

"It's quite a different perspective for sure," Finch admitted.

With the retirement of longtime 18th-tower cameraman Ricky Blane after 30 years in the position and almost 50 years with the network, CBS producer Lance Barrow and director Steve Milton wondered where they'd find a suitable replacement.

"I thought I'd ask Davey," said Barrow. "But not in a million years did I think he'd accept it."

Neither did Finch. And he didn't right away.

Why would he give up such a coveted spot, one that has defined his career in sports for so long?

Easy, said Finch. Think gravity.

"I've been walking the fairways since the 1977 Andy Williams San Diego Open," explained Finch, a Newport Beach resident. "When I started, we only had two hand-held cameras. I loved being right there in the action.

"When Lance and Steve approached me, I said, `Naw, you've got this guy, and this guy.' I didn't take it seriously. But then I started thinking about it."

A hand-held cameraman is actually a two-person job - one who has the rig, and the other carrying the antenna. Eventually, technology will incorporate the antenna into the camera, making it five to seven pounds heavier.

"I just turned 60," admitted Finch, "so I'm thinking in five or six years, do I still want to be doing that? I really do have a passion for walking with the guys. But why not look at this as a new challenge?"

CBS has expanded the use of hand-held cameras to eight as part of its 20-camera golf arsenal, inspired by how Finch has taught the next generation to handle this particular piece of equipment.

Finch started working like most on the standard "hard" camera, moving to L.A. during his senior year at the University of Tulsa to jump right into working at CBS Television Studio in L.A. on variety shows hosted by Dinah Shore, Mike Douglas and Tony Orlando and Dawn. He even did soap operas like "The Young and The Restless."

But on weekends, he was free to do sports.

He spent many a night at the Forum with the hand-held camera, sitting under the basket during CBS' coverage of the NBA right at the time of the Lakers' Magic Johnson era. From football to the Olympics, Finch's eye for capturing the moment became a signature part of the network coverage.

"He's meant everything to our broadcasts, not just the way he does his job, but the example he sets," said Barrow. "You have him do something, and you never have to worry about it not being done the right way - he even goes beyond what's asked. He's the ultimate professional."

The late Chirkinian said Finch "created an art form in television with that camera hooked to his tiny shoulder. ... He is without a doubt a television director walking around with a camera."

So some 35 years later, Finch is ready to learn again, retiring from his "Mini-A" spot next to course reporter David Feherty to a lofty spot above the scaffolding that serves as the post for broadcasters Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo. Finch actually has to operate two cameras in that position - one looking up the 18th fairway, one for the announcer shots.

Lighting has to be adjusted, headsets need to be functional, and information has to be transferred quickly.

"It's a humongous setup," said Finch, surveying the insides of the 25-by-25-foot jammed-packed space just off the Riviera putting green Thursday, before Golf Channel's Terry Gannon came in with Faldo to call the action.

Blane has helped Finch during the transition period as CBS uses the Northern Trust Open as its last live golf telecast before The Masters in April. Finch has already got experience at Torrey Pines in San Diego and last weekend at Pebble Beach working out the logistics.

It's not just getting used to the difference in a hand-held camera that has a 22-to-1 lens ratio to one with 100-to-1 on the stationary camera.

He's also much more clear of actually getting hit with a flying ball - it's happened three times, in fact.

"It's like getting back on a bike and getting up to speed," said Finch.

"Ricky's slogan has always been having a `commitment to excellence,' and that's what I'm committed to continue.

"I strive for perfection, sure, but that's part of the commitment. It's really easy to just point the camera. It's better to strive for the best angle, enhance the shot with the lighting or angle. That's why this is probably a great move for me."

Finch may be removed from where he's used to conversing with players, but he expects to see Woods again at the upcoming Masters, only looking down on him this time.

Finch said he reminded Woods recently of the story of their first meeting way back when at Riviera.

"He told me that he'd say the same thing to me again if it happened," said Finch.

He added that Woods was smiling this time.

WHAT SMOKES

== Dave Rieff, a pit reporter covering ESPN drag racing since the network got in the business in 2001, has been elevated into the primary anchor chair for NHRA coverage this season, starting with this weekend's Winternationals at Pomona. Reiff, who replaces the long-time motorsports broadcaster Paul Page, is joined by former racer Mike Dunn. Pit reporters will be Gary Gerould, John Kernan and Jamie Howe. "I've been very lucky during the 17 years I've been involved with the NHRA to be around many of the greats of the sport," said Rieff. "I'm very grateful for this new opportunity and hope to be able to take the best of the best from each of these men and bring it to the forefront." ESPN2 has Sunday's final day on delay (5 p.m.) as well as Saturday's qualifying (7 p.m.). The online ESPN3 multi-screen coverage goes live today at 2 p.m. and has a full-day of eliminations Sunday starting at 11 a.m.

WHAT CHOKES

== Ever care about what happened to Tim Donaghy, the former 13-year NBA referee who pleaded guilty to two felony gambling charges in 2007 after it was discovered he bet on games for four years, including those he officiated? Careful when you listen to KLAC-AM (570) on Saturday mornings. You might be appalled to hear that, following a 13-month prison term and the end of his probationary period last November, Donaghy is giving gambling advice on the highly dubious show "Inside The Numbers." Hosted by Danny Biancullo, a New Jersey-based, Joe Pesci-sounding handicapper who runs the website Dannybwins.com, the show that pays the station a bartered rate to appear on its airwaves includes Donaghy as an expert on how to pick NBA games, based on what he knows about other referee's tendencies - those who call a tighter game, for example, will lead to more foul shots, which can affect things like an over/under in total points. He also revealed on last Saturday's show how he can get information from trainers and team ball boys who know what's going on behind the scenes. "We have a happy clientele who prove we know what we're doing," Donaghy said during his recent appearance. "So if you're on a hole, or if you're on top, give us a call." Shows geared to the lowest common denominator aren't new in the sports-radio genre. They've been airing for years, unfortunately, to help pay bills. But odds are, running dead air for an hour on a Saturday morning would better serve the audience and not insult their intelligence.